“And ye shall receive power…,” “…according to the power that worketh in us.” Acts 1:8, Ephesians 3:20
Dear Ones:
Something occurred in the Garden of Eden which we rarely talk about. When the Lord told Adam that, “…in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die,” (Gen. 2:17), He spoke of a key element of LIFE which Adam would forfeit. Adam would lose the POWER to live a righteous life in the eyes of God. From the moment he partakes of the fruit, we find him becoming the slave to shame and fear, no longer characterized by the POWER of Christ to live. He became a prisoner of his own sinful, selfish capabilities and capacities. He died because he no longer had the power to truly Live.
The great miracle of Pentecost was that of the Spirit of God, not only coming upon the believer, but coming to indwell him. “Christ in you,” became the great reality of the church. But what specifically happened that day? According to the Lord Jesus, it would be a day when POWER from heaven was given: “…ye shall receive power (authority)…” (Acts 1:8) The very authority of Christ was given to man…the authority to choose to live right, well, pleasing God, and glorifying Him. With that authority came the power of Christ. Indeed, the Apostle Paul declares that Christ IS the power of God. (1 Cor.1:24) Paul goes on to say that the message by which this power is given unto men, is the gospel…”…the power of God unto salvation.” (Rom. 1:16) So, we see Adam devoid of power when he sinned. Then we see power promised, then given at Pentecost. Later on, the Apostle Paul will unveil to us that this very power is to be operative in us today, for “…NOW is the day of salvation. He also writes: “NOW unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.” (Eph. 3:20) This same power that Adam knew before the fall was the same promised for Pentecost. It was the same power of which Jesus spoke, in order for us to “become the sons of God.” (Jn. 1:12) And it is the same TODAY, known and experienced as we are “strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man.” This is why the Apostle Paul writes concerning his objective: “That I may KNOW Him, and the POWER of His resurrection.” (Phil. 3:10) This “power of His resurrection” does not only refer to that moment when our bodies will be quickened, and rise again after death, but to a very present experience of the same power that raised up Christ. We HAVE BEEN raised up with Christ, to know that same power to live for God’s glory…today.
Dear Father, give us an increasing vision of Christ as our power, this resurrection power. Give us to see and to know “…the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power, which He wrought in Christ.” (Eph. 1:19) We thank Thee for the possibilities in this day, by the Spirit, to know Thee…and the power of Thy resurrection. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad